12mo. In two volumes. xxvi, [12], 234; [12], 275pp, [1]. Bound by Riviere in later gilt-tooled mottled calf, recently rebacked preserving spine panels and contrasting dark green morocco lettering-pieces, A.E.G. Housed in modern brown cloth slipcase. Rubbed, chipping to spines. Armorial bookplate of J. Leveson Douglas Stewart and later bookplate of American industrialist and bibliophile Alfred Edward Newton (1864-1940) to FEPs.

The first edition of Irish author and journalist Charles Johnstone's (c. 1719-c. 1800) early narrative-of-an-object novel, an excoriating satire set during the period of the Seven Years' War (1757-63). Johnstone's later efforts were not received with the same popular acclaim; indeed, none of his subsequent works would find a wide audience, resulting in him facing a dotage of penury (in part due to being a victim of an unscrupulous publisher). As a result, Johnstone sailed for India in hopes of prevailing on the generosity of those he had helped into positions of favour during more prosperous times. He found employment by writing for the Bengal newspaper press under the signature of Oneiropolos. He later became proprietor of a journal, which allowed him to amass something of a fortune by the time of his death in Madras around 1800.